PARLIAMENT TO SPEED-UP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 38, 8 November 1937, Page 6

PARLIAMENT TO SPEED-UP

Our Own Correspondent.)

Longer Sitting Hours To Be Observed MAY SIT ON MONDAYS

(From

WELLINGTON, Last Night. Longer fitting bours are to be observed by tbe House of Representatives in tbe near. f'utpre, .with. a view to tbe adjournment' for tbe midsummer recess being taken early in December. An indication of tbe intention' of tbe Government to .expedite tbe Avork of Par^ liament was . given in-tbb Hoyse on Friday, when steps. were taken to utilise Wednesdays from now on for tbe transaction of Government business, • and aft.er this week members will probably . be .asked . to sit on Mondays, Tbe Prime Minister, tbe Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, stated- in 'an interview yesterday tbat th'e Government was sbaping its plan so as to end tbe first part of tbe se'ssion by Saturday, December 10, at tbe very latest. There was still a good deal of business to do, and more rapid progress would have to be made if Parliament' were to adjourn by ' tbe second week in December. Altbough nothing definite bad been decided, it was learned tbat more than likely be would require tbe House to sit on Mondays as from next week. Apart from tbe remaining items of tbe Estimates that had yet to be discussed and passed, there was a fairly sub'stantial programme of legislatiou. Tbe Industrial Conciliation and Arbitiation Amendment Bill, wbicb was designed to relieve tbe pressure of work on the Arbitration Court, would no doubt lead -to -much discussion. This Bill, which" bad .been. referred to the Labour Bills .Committee, would have to receive early attention. There ' were also on tbe order paper the Physical Welfaro and Recreation Bill and. tbe Sale of Wool Bill. Tbe Local Government (Amalgamation Sehemes) Bill bad.gone to a special committee, and the indications were tbat tbe cominittee would not be in a position to 'report beforo'tbe adjournment. . . "• Tbe new; legislation • due for early introductioii was also' outlined by Mr. Savage. ' Hh said tbe amendment to the Electoral Act' restoring triennial Parliaments - would aippear very soon. In addition there would be an Appropriation Bill and Bills ' dealing Avitb education- and • tbe • conservation of oil resources for tbe State. Tbe ,Coa£ mining Amendment Bill, intrbduced last' week, would ' also require attention. . .. "It is evident there is still a good deal to do 'and tbat we will have to move faster to get tHrougb tbe business by tbe, second week in December," added the -Prime Minister. "Tbe Public Works Estimates and tbe Supplementary -Estimates will also have to bo disposed of, and tbe Public Works Statement has yet to be introduced and discussed. -Tbe probabilities are tbat Parliament will reassCmble . early -iu February to deal with -tbe national superannuation and • natiorial health insurarice - scheme. " Further consideration will be . given to tbe Estimates. when tbe House resumes on Tuesday.